CES Recommendations for 2020 round on census methodology

Eric Schulte Nordholt

Senior researcher and project leader of the Census

Statistics Netherlands

Division Socio-economic and spatial statistics

e.schultenordholt@cbs.nl

Presentation at the Group of Experts on Population and Housing Censuses meeting at the UNECE in Geneva

(September 2014)

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Contents

• Three kinds of censuses

• Task Force on census methodology

• Recommendations for 2010 round on census methodology

• Changes in the recommendations on census methodology

• Recommendations for 2020 round on census methodology

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Three kinds of censuses (1)

1. Traditional census category (31 countries) includes a. Full field enumeration, no use of registers (20

countries)b. Full field enumeration, supported by registers as

frame or control only (9 countries)c. Full field enumeration, with annual updates (United

States)d. Rolling census (France)

2. Combined census category (10 countries) includesa. Register plus full field enumeration for selected

variables (4 countries)b. Register plus sample field data for selected

variables (6 countries)3. Register-based census category (9 countries) includes

a. Register-based census using data from existing sample survey for selected variables (3 countries)

b. Fully register-based (6 countries)

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Three kinds of censuses (2)

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Task Force on census methodology

• 24 experts representing 3 international organisations (CIS-Stat, Eurostat and UNECE) and 16 countries including– 9 Traditional census countries (Canada,

France, Hungary, Italy, Montenegro, Serbia, United Kingdom, United States and Uzbekistan)

– 4 Combined census countries (Germany, Israel, Latvia and Poland)

– 3 Register-based census countries (Austria, the Netherlands and Sweden)

• No general face-to-face meetings → lots of e-mails!

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Recommendations for 2010 round on census methodology

1. Chapter I (20 pages)

2. Appendices II-VII (44 pages)

Almost a third of the pages in the 2010 recommendations relate to methodology!

Other Task Forces (e.g. the one on quality and coverage) also have ideas on methodology

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Changes in the recommendations on census methodology (1)

1. Textual updates and improvements

2. More attention for other than traditional censuses because

a. More countries than before use other methods or move to other methods in the coming years

b. The recommendations should stay relevant for all UNECE countries!

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Changes in the recommendations on census methodology (2)

3. Most information of the old sections 42-48 on the relation between the population and housing census and the agricultural census is now included in the chapter on Agriculture

4. Appendix II on alternative approaches is now included in the new Methodology chapter (after the old section 58)

5. Appendix III on fundamental principles is now referred to from the new chapter on Operational aspects

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Changes in the recommendations on census methodology (3)

6. New chapter on Operational aspects includes

1. Old sections 65-68 and 89-103

2. Appendices VI and VII

7. New chapter on Quality to reflect the growing interest in these topics that includes

1. Old sections 69-88

2. Appendices IV and V

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Recommendations for 2020 round on census methodology (1)

A new Methodology chapter (25 pages) including

I. Introduction

II. Aims and objectives of a census

III. Definitions, essential features and phases of a census

IV. Strategic objectives and criteria for the selection of census topics

V. The relation between traditional censuses and sample surveys

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Recommendations for 2020 round on census methodology (2)

VI. The relation between population and housing census and agricultural census

VII. Methodology approaches in the ECE region

VIII.Traditional census

IX. Traditional enumeration with yearly updates of characteristics (United States)

X. Rolling census (France)

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Recommendations for 2020 round on census methodology (3)

XI. Combined census with registers and full field enumeration

XII. Combined census with registers and sample field data

XIII.Register-based census

XIV.Confidentiality and security